In the early 20th century, Victorino (the great-grandfather of our founder Eric) launched his negociant project in Asturias, Spain, called La Borla. He produced wines in Asturias to sell in Cuba before the revolution. While La Borla did not survive into modern times, its legacy lived on spiritually in the family through stories passed along generations. It served as one of the inspirations for the deClaramunt project.
During the same period, Xavier and Eduard’s family cultivated their own vineyards in La Pobla de Claramunt, their hometown in Catalonia. For centuries, it was customary for each family in the region to own and tend their own land, producing wine, olive oil, and other goods. Wine has always been deeply ingrained in the culture of the Catalan countryside. Both wine and olive oil were traditionally cultivated for personal consumption, forming a significant part of the Mediterranean diet. Like many others, Xavier and Eduard’s family had a small plot of vines and olive trees, producing their own wine and olive oil, with a built-in cellar in their home.
Wine connects us to the stories of our ancestors, filled with warmth and love. It’s a reminder of simpler times, shared meals, and the enduring bond of family.
In the 2010s, Xavier and Eduard met Eric in Miami, Florida. Over the years they became close friends, and shared a common interest in re-establishing their connection to wine. They set out to create something larger than themselves. deClaramunt was born as a culmination of a desire to push towards new horizons, and to make our mark in the world of the finer thing. Taking a risk, they decided to make it happen.
After months of searching for the right partners, experiencing rejection and failure repeatedly, they remained patient and persistent. Finally, in 2017, they found the perfect oenologist partners in the town of Batea, Catalonia (D.O. Terra Alta). It was then they began producing their first batch of wines to sell locally within the region. In 2018, they launched in the United States, selling in Eric’s home state of Florida.
Since then, deClaramunt has been fortunate to share its wines and the wonderful experiences they inspire with thousands of people over the years.
Building a brand from the ground up is daunting work, and involves taking many risks. Many that create their own brands have thousands of connections in their industry, backing from powerful and well-known people. Creating a beverage brand is often seen as a ritzy affair; a venture in which only the rich, famous, and the ultra wealthy see success.
deClaramunt fought an uphill battle from its start. Our founders peddled our wines door-to-door on the streets of Miami. They had recently graduated college, and decided to dive head first into the beverage industry. They had very few connections, only basic knowledge, and likely made fools of themselves on numerous occasions. This did not stop them.
The team
A native of Miami, Florida. Eric draws his inspiration from his great grandfather who launched a wine brand in the early 20th century. Eric immersed himself in the world of wine, and began selling deClaramunt door to door the moment he graduated from Florida International University in 2018. He brings to the table over a decade of experience in the Hospitality field.
A native of La Pobla de Claramunt, Catalonia. Xavier draws his inspiration towards wine through his culture and the presence of winemaking in it. A Business major and economics lecturer at UPF, he brings to the table expertise in operational business management.